Homeowner’s Guide: Types of Roofs — Roof Types, Materials, and Designs

Dec 16, 2024 | Marketing

Learn about the top most used types of roofing, including asphalt shingles, metal, and clay tiles. We offer tips for how to choose the best option based on your roof design and budget.

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There are many types of roof styles and materials, suitable to different climates and designs. When designing or searching for a home, the type of roof is an extremely serious consideration as it will determine the quality of shelter for a couple decades, or up to a couple generations.

We’ll break down the main types of roofing by material, including some top manufacturers, many of whom also include installation guidelines and advice on how to pair the material with differently shaped roofs.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most widely used materials due to their affordability and the ease of installation.

They are easy to install and work well with almost any shaped roof. However, they can be vulnerable to wind damage and cracking, and do not last as long as other options.
Featured Brand

Pabco Roofing

Tacoma, Washington

Pro Resources
How to Buy

Pabco Roofing creates stylish asphalt shingles in a variety of color options and in rectangular or diamond shapes. They include extra tips for architects and contractors for how to choose the best shingles for different sloped roofs and stylistic designs.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is a popular option due to durability and energy efficiency, though metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt shingles, and depending on your choice of metal can vary significantly in price.

Steel Roofing

Steel is the most commonly used material in roofing, and many people use the term metal roofing to refer to steel roofs. Steel is the most affordable material for roofs, is easily available, low maintenance, and durable. However, steel is prone to rust and corrosion, so it’s not great for coastal regions.

Aluminum Roofing

Aluminum is another popular choice as it’s lightweight and resistant to corrosion. It is more expensive than steel, and more easily bent or damaged due to its comparative softness.

Featured Brand

Zappone

Spokane, Washington
Pro Resources
Where to Buy

Most metal roofs are installed in long sheets, but Zappone creates copper and aluminum shingles, a much rarer option! They still boast all the same benefits, but are more time consuming to install than sheets. It’s a wonderful option if you’re looking for something to stand out and last a lifetime!

They include installation guides and architectural drawings to familiarize professionals with their truly unique roofing option.

Copper Roofing

Copper is the most expensive metal option for roofing, but one of the longest-lasting choices for a roof. The metal is resistant to rust and corrosion, and develops a beautiful green patina over time.

Zinc Roofing

Zinc is another option that is durable and resistant to rust and corrosion. It’s also has a smaller environmental footprint to manufacturer than many other roofing materials. It develops a lovely matte grey patina over time, which pairs better with many modern designs than copper. It is more expensive than steel or aluminum though, and can wear (and develop patina) unevenly.

Source: Rheinzink

Clay or Concrete Roof Tiles

Tiles are molded from clay or concrete material and laid in an overlapping or interlocking pattern with other tiles. They are an exceptional choice for hot, dry climates, and coastal regions due to their longevity and resistance to salt. Their striking appearance is a favorite feature of Spanish and Southwest architecture, and can be made in a variety of shapes and colors to match a variety of styles. However, clay tiles can be quite costly and are difficult to install due to their weight. Concrete tiles are a more affordable option, and both are sustainable!
Featured Brand

Redland Clay Tile

San Diego, California

Redland Clay Tile makes traditional clay tiles which are instantly recognizable throughout the southwest. They come in a range of colors from pale sandstone, to a richer terracotta.

How to Buy
Featured Brand

Eagle Roofing

Rialto, California
Eagle Roofing creates a vast range of exquisitely colored concrete tiles that mimic the appearance of wood and other materials. Some are designed to be interlocking, while others lay over one another like shingles. They offer exceptional design resources, including detailed specifications, hatch patterns, and online courses.
Pro Resources
How to Buy

Composite Roofing

Composite shingles are an eco-friendly alternative to asphalt shingles. They come in many shapes and colors which can mimic slate and wood, and are lower cost than natural materials, but are incredibly durable. They are more expensive, however, and come with more unknowns since it’s a newer material.

Source: Brava Roof Tile

Slate Roofing

Slate is one of the longest-lasting options for a roof. Beautiful, durable, and fire resistant, such a roof will last for generations if well maintained. It is one of the most expensive roofing options though, and the installation is difficult. The material is also brittle, which means some tiles could crack and need replacing.

Source: American Slate

Solar Shingles

If you don’t want to just save energy, but make it too, solar shingles are a perfect way to harness the power of the sun! They’re designed to blend in with normal roof tiles for a seamless look. They can’t match with all roof materials though, and depending on your location and the angle of your roof, you may not be able to catch enough sunlight. If you can, it’s a great way to save in the long-run, if you can handle the upfront expense.

Featured Brand

Luma Solar

Rochester Hills, Michigan
How to Buy

Luma Sola creates solar shingles that are 3x stronger than regular tiles and each produce 80W. They are fully replaceable and upgradable, which means your roof won’t become outdated within a couple years of installation. From their photos, you can’t even tell which are the solar shingles, and which are the regular ones!

Energy Efficient Roofing

Energy efficient roofing are designed to reflect heat to better insulate a building and save on energy costs. Many homeowners see a 40% reduction in air conditioning costs. This is a great environmental benefit, but comes with a higher upfront cost.

Featured Brand

Astec Re-Ply Roofing Systems

Birmingham, New York
How to Buy

ASTEC Re-Ply fluid-applied roof systems can be installed directly over most traditional roof substrates, providing additional UV, heat, and abrasion resistance. Their systems meet the standards for cool roofing incentives and benefits, like tax rebates.

EPDM (Rubber) Roofing

Rubber roofs, also called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), are a good option for flat or low-slope roofs. They are weather-resistant, easy to install, long-lasting, and cost efficient. However, they can be prone to punctures, and are not suitable for all roof types.

Featured Brand

Versico Roofing System

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Pro Resources
How to Buy

Versico Roofing System provides high quality, flexible rubber sheets, promised to resist UV rays and hail. They offer additional insulation options for greater energy efficiency and protection from wind uplift.

They provide detailed specifications for design professionals, including information on codes, sustainability, and more.

P.S.

Have you used or specified any other unique roofing materials on recent homes or residential projects? Are you satisfied with the longevity of the material, compared to the cost? Share it with us and the Built for Home community on social.